Congress alleges TRAI blocked its SMS linking to a documentary on alleged Maharashtra poll rigging, calling it coordinated censorship
New Delhi
The Congress on Sunday alleged that the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) blocked its request to send SMS messages containing a YouTube link to a documentary claiming large-scale rigging in the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections. Party leaders said TRAI dismissed the application by labelling the content “protest-related,” effectively preventing the film’s circulation among Congress workers in the state.
Congress data analytics head Praveen Chakravarty said the party had formally sought approval to distribute the link titled How the MH 2024 Election Was Stolen to its cadre. He accused government agencies of acting in concert to restrict information, calling the rejection “a telltale sign of guilt” over alleged election manipulation. Sharing screenshots of TRAI’s response on X, Chakravarty asked why “perfect synchronisation” existed between the Home Ministry, Election Commission and telecom regulator to suppress dissent.
Lok Sabha whip Manickam Tagore echoed the charge, terming the decision “ridiculous.” He questioned whether the Union Home Minister, Railways and Telecom Ministry were “blocking communication while the Election Commission remains a silent spectator.” Tagore insisted that censorship would not silence democratic voices, asserting, “Suppressing SMS won’t suppress truth. Blocking Congress workers won’t block democracy.”
TRAI has yet to issue a formal response. Congress maintains the episode underscores what it calls a “coordinated effort” by the Centre to conceal electoral wrongdoing in Maharashtra, vowing to continue pressing for transparency despite attempts to “hide the truth.”
